Sunil Narine has 200 wickets for Kolkata Knight Riders – is it the most for KKR in the IPL?

Jonhenry Wilson 15 Mar 2025

Andre Russell and Sunil Narine are among KKR's top wicket-takers in the history of the Indian Premier League.

Three-time Indian Premier League champions, the Kolkata Knight Riders are all about the glamour. Owned by Bollywood stars Shah Rukh Khan and Juhi Chawla and playing out of the cauldron that is Eden Gardens, KKR head into the new season of IPL as defending champions.

Over the years, some of the greatest ever players have appeared in the famous purple and gold kit, which is why it comes as no surprise, when looking at the list of their all-time leading wicket-takers, to see it dominated by players from a variety of countries.

The top seven all-time KKR wicket-takers include players from India, the Caribbean, South Africa, and Bangladesh.

Let’s take a quick look at the stars who have taken the most IPL wickets for the pride of Kolkata since the team made its first appearance in the competition back in 2008.

7. Shakib Al Hasan – 48 wickets from 57 IPL matches

One of Bangladesh‘s greatest-ever cricketers, Shakib Al Hasan, was a crucial part of KKR’s success over the years. A left-arm spinner with incredible control, Shakib played a key role in KKR’s title-winning campaigns.

His ability to break partnerships and deliver in crucial moments made him a valuable asset in the middle overs. Once ranked by the ICC as the world’s number one all-rounder Shakib won’t be in the mix for KKR in 2025.

6. Jacques Kallis – 48 wickets from 70 IPL matches for KKR

Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, the Proteas star could hold his own equally as a bowler or a batsman. While probably better known for his batting prowess, but his bowling contributions cannot be ignored.

The South Africa all-rounder played a vital role in KKR’s early successes, using his fast-medium pace to great effect, especially on slow tracks. His ability to swing the ball and deliver crucial breakthroughs made him an invaluable part of the squad.

5. Umesh Yadav – 65 wickets from 68 IPL matches for KKR

One of the quickest bowlers to have played for KKR, Umesh Yadav’s express pace often rattled batsmen.

A strong new-ball bowler, Yadav played a big role in providing early breakthroughs for his team. Though his economy rate was sometimes on the higher side, his ability to take key wickets was undeniable.

Also read: Listing every Indian Premier League century since 2017 – record number of tons in 2024

4. Piyush Chawla – 71 wickets from 76 IPL matches for KKR

A seasoned IPL performer, leg-spinner Piyush Chawla played a significant role in KKR’s bowling attack.

His variations and ability to deceive batsmen made him a go-to option for the team’s captain. Chawla’s standout moment for KKR was his winning boundary in the 2014 IPL final, but his bowling contributions were just as vital in that championship run.

3. Varun Chakravarthy – 82 wickets from 70 IPL matches for KKR

A star on eth rise, Varun took his IPL talent and transferred it to the ODI stage at the recent Champions Trophy. While he is a relatively newer name on this list, mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy has emerged as a key bowler for KKR.

His deceptive spin and unpredictable variations have troubled some of the best batsmen in the IPL. With a fantastic economy rate and wicket-taking ability, he has quickly climbed up KKR’s all-time wicket-taking charts. Not surprisingly he will be back again for KKR in season 2025.

2. Andre Russell – 117 wickets from 127 IPL matches for KKR

Known for his explosive batting, the West Indies‘ Andre Russell has also been a standout performer with the ball for KKR. His ability to bowl sharp bouncers and execute pinpoint yorkers in the death overs made him a crucial component of the team’s bowling lineup.

Russell’s knack for delivering game-changing performances with both bat and ball has cemented his status as one of KKR’s all-time greats. While he is their second-best bowler of all-time in terms of wickets taken, he is also their third highest scoring batsman. He returns for another season in 2025.

1. Sunil Narine – 200 wickets from 188 IPL matches for KKR

Topping the list is the legendary Sunil Narine. The West Indian spinner has been the backbone of KKR’s bowling attack for over a decade. With his mystery spin and incredible economy rate, Narine has been the toughest bowler for opposition batsmen to face. His ability to control games and deliver crucial wickets at any stage makes him the greatest bowler in KKR’s history.

Like his Caribbean-counterpart Andre Russell, Narine has also been a stellar all-round contributor for KKR, coming in as their seventh highest scoring batsman of all time. He is again part of the squad for 2025.